The Paris 2024 Olympics are expected to attract millions of visitors and athletes from around the world, who will need efficient and reliable transportation to access the various venues and events. One of the main transport projects for the games is the extension of metro line 14, which is supposed to connect the north and south of the city, as well as the Orly airport and the Saint-Denis Pleyel station, where the Olympic village will be located. However, the completion of the line 14, dubbed as “the lifeline of the games”, is facing several delays and uncertainties, raising doubts about its readiness and functionality in time for the Olympics.
The metro line 14 is one of the oldest and most modern lines in the Parisian network, as it was inaugurated in 1998 and operates fully automatically, without drivers. The line currently runs from Saint-Ouen, in the north of Paris, to Olympiades, in the south, covering 14 stations and 9 kilometers. The plan is to extend the line by 15.5 kilometers and 8 stations, reaching Orly airport in the south and Saint-Denis Pleyel in the north, by 2024.
The extension of the line 14 is part of the Grand Paris Express project, a massive and long-term initiative to create a new metro network around the capital, with 200 kilometers of new lines and 68 new stations. The project aims to improve the mobility, connectivity, and accessibility of the Greater Paris area, as well as to support its economic and social development.
The line 14 is expected to play a crucial role in the Paris 2024 Olympics, as it will link some of the main venues and sites of the games, such as the Stade de France, the Bercy Arena, the Gare de Lyon, and the Orly airport. The line will also reduce the congestion and pollution of the roads, as it will offer a fast and comfortable alternative to the cars and buses. The line will be able to carry up to 35,000 passengers per hour and per direction, with a frequency of 80 seconds between two trains.
The Delays and Difficulties of the Line 14
However, the realization of the line 14 is not without challenges and setbacks, as the project has faced several delays and difficulties over the years. The original deadline for the completion of the line was 2017, but it was pushed back to 2019, then to 2020, and finally to 2024, due to various technical, administrative, and financial issues.
Some of the main problems that have affected the project include:
- The complexity and unpredictability of the underground works, which have encountered geological, archaeological, and urban obstacles, such as hard rocks, ancient wells, and dense networks of pipes and cables.
- The coordination and cooperation between the different actors and stakeholders involved in the project, such as the RATP, the operator of the line, the Société du Grand Paris, the public entity in charge of the Grand Paris Express, the local authorities, the contractors, and the residents.
- The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted the works and the supply chains, as well as increased the health and safety measures and costs.
The latest update from the RATP and the Société du Grand Paris, issued in December 2022, confirmed that the line 14 will be operational for the Olympics, but with some limitations and uncertainties. The southern section of the line, from Olympiades to Orly airport, will be ready by the end of 2023, but the northern section, from Saint-Ouen to Saint-Denis Pleyel, will only be partially open, with the final station still under construction. Moreover, the line will operate with a reduced capacity and frequency, as the new trains and the new control system will not be fully tested and integrated.
The Reactions and Expectations for the Line 14
The delays and difficulties of the line 14 have sparked mixed reactions and expectations from the public and the authorities, who have expressed their concerns and hopes for the project. Some of the main opinions and perspectives include:
- The disappointment and frustration of the residents and the commuters, who have been waiting for years for the line to be completed and who have endured the inconveniences and the disruptions caused by the works. Some of them have also questioned the transparency and the accountability of the project managers and the contractors, who have failed to deliver on their promises and deadlines.
- The optimism and confidence of the project leaders and the transport officials, who have assured that the line 14 will be ready and functional for the Olympics, and that it will provide a high-quality service and experience to the visitors and the athletes. They have also highlighted the benefits and the opportunities that the line will bring to the Greater Paris area, in terms of mobility, connectivity, and development.
- The caution and the contingency of the Olympic organizers and the government, who have acknowledged the challenges and the risks of the project, and who have prepared alternative and complementary transport solutions for the games, such as the RER E, the tramway, the buses, and the bicycles. They have also emphasized the importance of the line 14 for the legacy and the sustainability of the Olympics, beyond 2024.
